For many office workers, working from home at least part-time has become commonplace. With fewer employees frequenting the office, many businesses are shifting to more compact, higher amenity spaces, leaving older, lower quality office space in need of renovation or new purpose. Retail floorspace is shrinking, too; traditional stores are struggling with increasing consumer preference for online shopping. To be successful, retail today must provide an experience that is more than just a transaction.

Overall, people are spending more time in their own neighbourhoods. Yet, most suburbs don’t offer people the full range of services and amenities that make daily life convenient and pleasant. The pandemic got people out of their cars, mostly by necessity. Climate change imperatives mean we need to encourage people to stay out of their cars, but many neighbourhoods aren’t very walkable, cyclable, or public transport friendly. 

What needs to fill these gaps? City centres need to reposition and become stronger places for people, taking opportunities to serve increased residential populations such as adapting office buildings where feasible. Providing a point of difference will encourage people to visit more frequently; catering to office workers on lunch breaks isn’t enough anymore, so city centres need more high-quality streets, plazas, and destination public spaces that are attractive for evenings and weekends. 

Additionally, if we want to shift people out of cars, suburban centres must become more urban—denser, with a wider variety of services connected by direct, safe, and comfortable walking and cycling connections. Stronger public transport systems need to connect our local and city centres and major destinations with more efficient, frequent service, enabling car-free and car-light lifestyles.

To create vibrant city centres, fulfilling neighbourhoods, and sustainable transport systems, we must embrace the changing realities of our urban environments. The silver lining of the challenges of the past three years is the incredible chance they have offered us to regenerate our cities for a more resilient and people-centred future. Let’s not miss this opportunity!